For Gabrielle Giffords and all those whose lives were ruined on January 8th, by an act of hatred...
~VICTIMS OF HATRED~
Click on image to enlargeimages from the public domain ~ collage by jim otterstrom 2010
I've been trying to come to terms with the contempt and hatred I feel seething through our society since I was a young boy.
I've also been consistently disappointed in my fellow human beings for as long as I can remember, and in myself for carrying within me seeds of that same toxicity which poisons hearts.
Is it any wonder we have so much insanity in a world where every innocence is promptly contaminated by the appalling gore of our collective misdeeds?
We are reaping the fruit of violence we have sewn into the fabric of history---even as we continue shouldering the burden of horrific destruction we still fund throughout the world, with our tax dollars, the sweat of our labor, and the lifeblood of humanity---all in disregard for every other species on earth.
Like the people in this collage, we are all victimized by hatred, fear, and ignorance, including our own.
Like the people in this collage, we are all victimized by hatred, fear, and ignorance, including our own.
Whatever we think of the individuals pictured here, they were all moved by the cruelty and injustice they saw around them to speak their truths, with compassion for others, and for that, each one was assassinated.
They made mistakes. After all they were only human, woven from the same imperfect cloth as the rest of us, but their common thread was compassion, and they died because of it.
They made mistakes. After all they were only human, woven from the same imperfect cloth as the rest of us, but their common thread was compassion, and they died because of it.
We are capable of becoming so much more than we are, and each of the persons above gave us a glimpse into possibilities.
As long as I live, no matter how ugly the world becomes, I will hold love and compassion in my heart, and do my best to reach beyond the atmosphere of contempt, bitterness, fear, and hatred which permeates our times...
...even if it kills me.
~Peace & Love~
As long as I live, no matter how ugly the world becomes, I will hold love and compassion in my heart, and do my best to reach beyond the atmosphere of contempt, bitterness, fear, and hatred which permeates our times...
...even if it kills me.
~Peace & Love~
Jim Otterstrom
Gabrielle Giffords favorite quote, from her facebook page:
"With malice toward none, with charity for all, let us strive to finish the work we are in." ~ Abraham Lincoln
Labels: activism, community involvement, social commentary, tragedy
posted by Jim at 10:19 AM
6 Comments:
Nicely done. I was afraid to come here because I have such a sour taste in my mouth from reading various posts about the tragedy.
I'm glad you came by Tabor...
This is a very sad way to begin a new year and grieving sometimes needs to be shared.
Amen!!
Coleen
Randomly found your blog on blogger. It was a nice visit. I agree with the sentiments of this post, it was nicely said. You have a very heartfelt blog. And I like seeing there are people out there truly living with their land, not on it.
On the January 15 PBS News Hour, Mark Shields was commenting on President Obama’s speech at the memorial service in Tucson and included the following, saying first that he heard it from “his friend,” Alan Ginsberg, a historian in Maine:
A white catholic republican federal judge, murdered on his way to greet his friend, . . .
A democratic Jewish woman member of congress. Her life was saved initially by . . .
A 20-year old Mexican American college student, and then by . . .
A Korean-American combat surgeon. It was all eulogized and explained by . . .
Our African-American president.
Then Shields added: “It was a tragic event that is a remarkable statement about this country.”
hello, I just come by to visit with your words and images once in a while. thanks for what you have done here, and in our community. I saw Peggy a while back and she showed me the garden. dropped off a few more plants. i just want to help where i can.
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